Fantasy Hockey Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Center Preseason Preview
Evgeni Malkin
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Malkin may be the number one center
on this team! Despite having a disappointing finals against
the Wings, he may be the best player in the league next
year. |
1. Evgeni Malkin - Penguins - 2008 Preview:
Evgeni Malkin, a.k.a. "Gino", finished just 6 points shy
of the league leader and fellow countrman Alexander Ovechkin. Malkin
stepped up his performance in the absence of Crosby and led the
Penguins to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference. Malkin's
only knock seems to be his lackluster performance against the Wings
in the finals. The Penguins added Satan Fedetenko which should fill
the void of the loss of Malone and company.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 47 - Assists 59 - Pts. 106
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 53- Assists 64- Pts. 117
2. Pavel Datsyuk - Red Wings - 2008 Preview:
Datsyuk and company cashed in on another Stanely Cup win for Hockey
Town. The team remains largely the same with one explosive addition
in Marion Hossa. Hard to believe the wings have picked up a player
of his caliber. If Hossa ends up finding chemistry with Datsyuk,
Pavel's numbers will explode. Hossa may be with Zetterburg, but
either way Datsyuk will be a fantasy stud again. Last year he was
an impressive +41. That's huge number for pool players.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 31 - Assists 66 - Pts. 97
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 26 - Assists 89 - Pts. 115
3.Sydney Crosby - Penguins - 2008 Preview:
The kid keeps producing and there's no reason to believe things
change so long as he stays injury free. For Penguin fans, Hossa
departure will sting a bit, but Crosby is a player who will make
those around him better. I believe Satan or Fedetenko will flank
him on the wing. The latter of the two would fill the Malone absence
and Satan has a scoring touch which could have him seeing new career
totals playing with a player like Crosby. He may share the spotlight
with Malkin but you can still count on a bunch of power play goals
and assists.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 24 - Assists 48 - Pts. 72
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 37 - Assists 69 - Pts. 106
4.Vincent Lecavalier - 2008 Preview:
Lecavalier managed 92 points on a dismal Tampa Bay team last year.
The Lightning started their overhaul this off season by quietly
firing their former coach Tortorella. Since July 1, the Lightning
have been adding players left and right. Ryane Malone is the wild
card in this scenario. He's strong skater who is developing into
a recognizable power forward in this league. I have some reservations
about the numbers Malone put up in Tampa, but he'll surely help
creat even more room for Lecavalier and St. Louis. He's also a big
guy who can play the power play which will give Lecavalier room
to skate and another option in front of the net. Don't worry about
the big contract. This guy is worth every penny and will perform.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 40 - Assists 52- Pts. 92
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 44 - Assists 59 - Pts. 103
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5. Joe Thorton - Sharks - 2008 Preview:
Its hard to believe the Red Wings actually have some youth on there
team but they do and it starts with Datsyuk. Remember, anyone under
35 in Detroit is considered young. Datsyuk's play making ability
is uncanny. He registered a plus/minus of +36 last season to go
alongside his 87 points. Its time for Zetterberg and Datsyuk to
take over for the storied franchise and expect just that for the
up coming season.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 29 - Assists 67 - Pts. 96
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 24 - Assists 65 - Pts. 89
6. Nicklas Backstrom - Capitals - 2008 Preview:
Backstom was one of our sleepers last year and he answered the bell
for fantasy owners. His 69 points during his rookie campaign has
put him in the spotlight as an elite player in the NHL. His goal
total will surely improve this season and while playing with Ovechkin
the assists will surely be right there again. Washington is back
on the hockey map and Backstrom is the number two reason why.
2007 - 08 Statistics:
Goals 14 - Assists 55 - Pts. 69
2008 - 09 Projection:
Goals 24 - Assists 62 - Pts. 86
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